Dylan Larkin set for Red Wings season debut pending medical clearance
Center Dylan Larkin is expected to make his season debut for the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night against the Ottawa Senators at Little Caesars Arena, pending final medical clearance from team doctors after missing the first two games of the season due to an upper-body injury.
Larkin Awaits Final Medical Clearance for Return
Todd McLellan stated after the morning skate that the forward still has one final hurdle to clear before getting the go-ahead to compete. Larkin has been on injured reserve dating back to an upper-body injury sustained in mid-August during offseason training. He began practicing with the team on September 23, participating in battle drills, but required final medical approval before returning to game action. During the morning skate, Larkin lined up alongside Viktor Arvidsson and Lucas Raymond, and also took reps on the power play. The Red Wings are currently managing a depleted roster down several centers. Marco Kasper is listed as week-to-week with an upper-body injury, J.T. Compher is day-to-day, and forward Mason Appleton is out week-to-week, per team reports.
Larkin Requested Trade and Lost Team Captaincy
Larkin’s return to the ice follows a contentious offseason during which he requested a trade away from Detroit and provided a short list of teams for which he would waive the no-trade clause in his contract, according to statements made by former general manager Steve Yzerman. Larkin initially submitted a three-team list featuring the Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers, and Vegas Golden Knights, though that field has since expanded. Following the trade request, Larkin was stripped of the team captaincy after several in-depth discussions with team leadership. When introduced in street clothes from the press box during Detroit’s home opener on Friday against the New York Rangers, Larkin was loudly booed by the home crowd. The Red Wings proceeded to drop their first two games of the regular season in regulation, falling 2-0 to the Rangers and 3-2 to the Winnipeg Jets, scoring a total of two goals across both contests.
Teammates Support Larkin Despite Contract Friction
Despite the ongoing friction regarding his contract status and trade demand, Larkin’s teammates have voiced support for his reintegration into the active lineup. Alex DeBrincat noted that the team has missed Larkin’s speed and offensive production during the 0-2 start. Lucas Raymond echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that the team performs at a higher level with him on the ice. Larkin is currently playing under an eight-year, $69.6-million contract signed in March 2023, which carries an $8.7 million annual average value through the 2030-31 season and includes a no-trade clause. Last season, he recorded 34 goals and 33 assists across 74 games, marking his fifth 30-goal campaign and sixth overall of his career. He ranks 10th in franchise history with 643 points.
Bettman Monitors Player Use of Trade Protection Clauses
The situation surrounding Larkin has drawn broader attention from league leadership regarding player movement and trade protection clauses. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stated last week that the league is monitoring how players utilize trade protection clauses to engineer moves to preferred destinations, noting that this trend departs from the original intent of such contract mechanisms. Meanwhile, Shawn Horcoff stepped in as interim general manager on September 15, inheriting a roster that has missed the postseason for 10 years. With no trade offers meeting the franchise’s valuation, Larkin remains a Red Wing as the team prepares to face Ottawa.
Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.
